US Army Selects Cheetah to Continue in M-ATV Competition

Ladson, SC -- Force Dynamics, LLC, a joint venture between Force Protection, Inc. (NASDAQ: FRPT) and General Dynamics Land Systems, has been awarded an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract for the M-ATV Cheetah, a lightweight, high-mobility vehicle, by the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command’s (TACOM) Mine Resistant Ambush Protected All Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV) program. The IDIQ contract includes an initial order for three vehicles for testing and evaluation and it enables Force Dynamics to compete for future M-ATV vehicle orders.

Previously, Force Dynamics delivered two Production Representative Vehicles (PRVs) to undergo initial survivability and mobility screening as part of the M-ATV solicitation. During this new phase of the evaluation, Force Dynamics will deliver additional PRVs for continued testing.

TACOM has indicated that if an M-ATV vehicle submission can meet all of the inspection requirements, survivability threshold and mobility tests that the vehicle will be given a “fair opportunity” for selection for a production delivery order.

Damon Walsh, executive vice president and managing director of Force Dynamics, commented ”We are very pleased that the Cheetah has been selected to continue to compete for this important and urgently needed program. This is a strong validation of the M-ATV Cheetah’s high level of mobility, combined with MRAP-I level protection. We believe that the M-ATV Cheetah provides the war fighter with the highest level of performance. In order to be as prepared as possible, Force Dynamics has already initiated production of the M-ATV Cheetah. We are fully ready to respond to the customer’s demand for these critical vehicles.”

Mike Cannon, chairman of the board of Force Dynamics and vice president, Ground Combat Systems, at General Dynamics Land Systems, commented “This is an important milestone for Force Dynamics in the M-ATV competition. Our submission offers superior mobility and survivability, and the complementary strengths of this partnership offer the best in production capability, service and support, and research and development.”

“Our M-ATV effort is backed by world-class manufacturing abilities and logistical support that will allow us to successfully deliver on the aggressive procurement schedule outlined by TACOM and to provide total lifecycle support for the vehicle,” Cannon said.

The Force Dynamics joint venture is supplemented by a cohesive partnership of world-class OEMs and an award under this program would create and sustain thousands of skilled employment opportunities in several states, including South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama and Michigan.

Force Protection and General Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), have successfully delivered more than 3,000 Cougar MRAP vehicles to the customer.

Source: Force Dynamics, LLC Selected To Continue in M-ATV Competition

Resources

IDIQ - Indefinite-Delivery-Indefinite-Quantity
LLC - Limited Liability Company
M-ATV - MRAP All-Terrain Vehicle
MRAP - Mine Resistant Ambush Protected
OEM - Original Equipment Manufacturer
PRV - Production Representative Vehicle
TACOM - Tank-automotive and Armaments Command
US - United States

Armies : Cheetah

United States of America